Super World Interview Time: Skizzo Frenetik

We have featured Peruvian autodidact bedroom-Beethoven Skizzo Frenetik on a couple of occasions now, we think he’s super talented and turns out melodic, inventive and highly original tunes to beat the band. He’s definitely high up on our watch list, we were delighted when he answered some questions for us recently- check him and it out!

Why did you decide to be in a band?

Well, this might come as a surprise but I am not in a band. Skizzo Frenetik is a solo project, literally, it all started when I found out I could make music on my own using GarageBand (I now use Logic Pro X) and playing around with the software instruments. This was a turning point in my life because I was able to translate the ideas I had in mind onto my laptop pretty easily. And to answer your question, I decided to start Skizzo Frenetik because I’ve always wanted to be a musician, but I never knew how I was able to do it on my own until recently.

What was the first piece of music you loved, and why?

Homecoming by Green Day. First song I’ve heard that completely blew my mind just by how crazy it is. It’s one of Green Day’s longest songs and it has different parts that blend together perfectly, a perfect closer to American Idiot and what really makes it special for me is the fact that all of the band members sing in this song. This could be off putting for some but for me, this is Green Day at their best.

What is your favourite song that you’ve written and why?

Live Again, a song off of my Debût EP. I’ve always wanted to make a pop song with substance, a pop song that regardless of it being simple, was able to capture what I felt when I wrote it. Live Again is my favourite because it’s addicting, easy to digest and very emotional.

How do you know when a song you’ve working on is complete?

When the instruments and my voice all blend together to create a good sounding track or at least, a song that makes you feel something because that’s what music’s all about. I much rather have a genuine sounding song than an overproduced piece of trash with lots of auto tune.

What’s the music scene like in Lima? (I was there once for a night on the way to Cusco)

I don’t know much of it, I usually tend to lock myself up in a room and make songs, but when I do go out I see a bunch of talented artists trying to make it in the scene like all of us here. Most bands in the city play in the bars of Barranco, Miraflores and Centro de Lima. Although, rarely any unique bands or artists make it here and even though they are extremely talented, I hear most of the same.

What song by another artist do you wish you had written and why?

1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. Because It’s one of those songs you never get tired of hearing by how chill and effortless it sounds. Not only that but the overall sound of the track is melancholic and beautiful, not a single instrument outshines the other, they all blend together to make a timeless masterpiece.

What artist(s) has been your biggest influence and in what way?

Julian Casablancas: He is very melodically aware and by that I mean, all of his songs have catchy riffs and catchy vocals. He has influenced a lot of musicians (I am no exception) because he makes good sounding songs regardless of them being complicated or not and that’s why people feel like they can do the same too.

Damon Albarn: His first album with one of his many bands (Gorillaz) made me realize that I don’t need much equipment to make good tunes. He mixed a bunch of genres in that record and from that moment on I discovered just how fun music could get if you allow yourself to try new things.

Name a song that makes you happy and why does it have that effect?

You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here by Frank Zappa. It’s a very silly song about a musician criticizing society because we tend to hear about conservatives and their thoughts about hippies but we don’t see the other side, this is the other side, this a musician in a pub singing directly to an asshole spectator basically saying that he is just a puppet on a string with its ugly suit and tie and boring way of living, I don’t know, at least that’s how I pictured this song to be and makes me very happy just by how the situation is portrayed in such a fun manner you can’t help but smile.

What is the best new band that you’ve heard recently?

JANK. Sadly they are no longer a band but I still love and miss them so much.

What do you think of music streaming sites like Spotify and Deezer?

They are cool but I don’t use them as much, I usually buy songs off of iTunes but I really need to get my stuff on Spotify and Deezer to reach more people.

What’s your idea of success?

I wouldn’t mind making a living out of what I do, but what I really want to achieve with my music is inspiring people to do the same. I think most artists invest lot’s of money onto one song and wait for the precise moment to release it just to find out people don’t dig it as much because it sounds contrived and overproduced. What the people want now (from new artists anyway) is quantity over the highest quality possible. What I want future musicians to know is that they don’t need to wait their whole lives to finally make it into the scene (take Grimes for example) all it takes is one great idea and consistency.

Skizzo also did a super work for our gallery, which we will be unveiling soon!